I’ve been thinking about whether or not to state my travel plans entirely this year or not, in case I let myself down and don’t complete them. However, in a bid to keep me focused I thought I’d let you guys know my plans, and then I can’t go back on them! So there you have, I plan to visit every country in mainland Europe before Christmas 2012.
That’s around a mind-blowing 40 countries, although some of them are smaller than a suburb of Bangkok or New York. Here’s the list of countries I’ll (hope to) be seeing throughout the year:
- FINLAND
- ESTONIA
- LATVIA
- LITHUANIA
- Belarus
- Ukraine
- Romania
- Moldova
- Transniistria
10. Bulgaria
11. Macedonia
12. Kosovo
13. Greece
14. Albania
15. Montenegro
16. Serbia
17. Bosnia & Herzegovina
18. Croatia
19. Slovenia
20. Austria
21. Hungary
22. Slovakia
23. Poland
24. Czech Republic
25. Germany
26. Denmark
27. Sweden
(Norway?)*
28. Holland#
29. Belgium#
30. Luxembourg
31. Liechtenstein
32. Switzerland
33. Italy
34. Vatican City
35. San Marino
36. France#
37. Monaco
38. Andorra
39. Spain
40. Portugal
* Norway is so expensive I’m not sure if I’ll go there, it’s not in mainland Europe per se, but I’d love to visit it regardless! We’ll see.
# I’ve already visited these 3 countries before, although they were before my ‘real’ traveling lifestyle so I don’t count them until I’ve backpacked through them. I do have great memories from family holidays in France though.
- The countries in CAPITALS are the countries I’ve already visited since my China to Europe trip began.
This seems like a lot of traveling in a short space of time I know, but I’m gonna give it a good bash. Countries like Liechtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, Luxembourg, Andorra etc are so small they’re most likely going to be day trips, 2 days at most.
When I look at that list and dream about seeing the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, the Alps, Amsterdam and the Nou Camp! I know it’s going to be expensive, and tiring, and at times lonely, but I’m already dreaming about the people I’m going to meet and the experiences I’m going to have. 2012 should be one hell of a year.
If any of you guys either live in any of these countries, or will be traveling in them, drop me a line below or send me a private message to johnny@onestep4ward.com and we can try to meet. Happy travels!
I love your backpack
I totally pinched the idea in Kenya this summer and got a Kenyan flag to sew on my backpack. Decided I’ll start it from turning 18 so, so far only Kenya. But going to Amsterdam in January and then maybe back to Kenya for a bit and off to USA in the summer! So hopefully shall have 3 things by the end of this academic year. And I’ve applied to go study in Singapore for a year – so if I spend a whole year there that definitely deserves a flag!
What part o Portugal are you planning on visit?
not sure Cristina, but quite a lot
where r u based? certainly porto and lisbon for a start!
Not a country per se ? Excuse me but Norway is mainland! We got lots of additional islands but its still mainland :p anyway, u should come here, u will probably regret it if u dont. Yes it is expensive but if u use couchsurfing and preorder early the traintickets around here u should manage it quite well. Cycling is cheap..not to mention hiking in the midnight sun ! Feel free to send me emails if u got any questions
hey helga, i meant the main land body of europe, sorry
thanks for the help, i may well be pestering u in a couple of months!
Mate! so joining in on this when I get back from the states!! been to quite a few, but there are still sooo many i need to get under my belt. i know what you mean about having to do some of them again too…i went to south of france but that was as a kid so i don’t feel like it counts!!
cool vic, let me know when you’re in town
got friends coming until end of july them im solo again so company would be welcome 
Awesome! Really interested to follow along on this, as we will be hitting many of these countries (not positive which ones yet as we are still working on our route) but not until next year. Always nice to get a fresh perspective.
thanks dave, i promise to make it as difficult as possible for u to chose cos they’re all so awesome!
Fascinating! Go for it. I’m looking forward to finding out how you like quite a few of these countries!!!!
can’t wait!
Visit Kotor, Budva, and Herceg Novi when you are in Montenegro. Visit Dubrovnik and the whole coast in general when you are in Croatia.
hey Corey, thanks for the tips mate! they’re all duly noted, cant wait to get to that part of the world, i hear it’s beautiful. Have u spent much time there?
wOw, really ambitious,
wish you to fulfill this plan!
Don’t know what cities you plan to visit in Croatia (just capital or some on the coast also), but if you need some advice, guide or even place to stay (depends on the time you’ll be here), feel free to contact me!
I live in Zagreb most of the time, but during summer time I’m in Split and around it
Hey Valentina,
Wow, that’d be great – can u send me a pvt msg on my facebook fan page (http://facebook.com/onestep4ward)? thanks =)
I’ll be in France for a bit of time this summer. When do you plan on stopping there?
Hey Laurent,
Difficult to say mate but maybe around August time, when do u leave?
Hi there, Johnny! A great challenge indeed! I do believe it’s doable over the next 7 months though. I know Norway is expensive but it would be a shame if you skip it especially since the train ride between Oslo and Bergen is, IMO, one of the best in Europe in terms of sceneries. The boat trip from Bergen to see the fjords provides a breathtaking experience as well.
Anyways, looking forward to reading how you get on with this plan!
All the best!
nooo, i keep hearing so many good things about Norway, looks like i’m gonna have make that budget stretch! thanks for ur help mate, did u live there?
I’m so so jealous of your life.. You are my idol
hey ciara,
are you irish? hope so! =) a fellow country folk is always nice to have around. Anyways, thanks for the kind words
i’m sure you’ll get to do something at least as equally awesome soon too!